My Soul Longs for Thee

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

Psalms 42:1&2


One of my favorite songs growing up in Sunday school was "As the Deer". Every week, someone was allowed to pick the closing song (I was about 7 or 8 years old). Every time I was called on, I would pick this song. And my favorite part to sing was:

"I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye."

How awesome that even then, God was instilling a love and passion for Him. Although I was unaware of it at the time, He was able to place in me the knowledge that only He can satisfy.

Realization of His Love

Lately, I've been contemplating the love of God. We've all experienced it in our walks with Him and it's truly a tremendous feeling. But have you ever experienced a realization of His love. I'm talking about His power and love hitting you so strongly that you fall on your face. Crying because you get a realization of the cross and what it truly meant.
This morning, as I was making my rounds through my facebook and myspace checks, I turned on a song by JesusCulture called How He Loves Us. Half way through the song, I begin to cry. I wasn't really listening to it, but my spirit was picking up on something. All of the sudden, God's love and power fell. I was beginning to get a realization of His love and how deep it is for me.
I wanted to share this experience with you and also share the song with you. The video below is the song. I hope you take the time to listen and experience a realization of His love.

Thought for the Day

"We went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance." -Psalm 66:12



Hard times come and go. Some are easier to endure than others. But always remember, that our God knows your situation and He has promised to bring you to a place of abundance and prosperity. Always hang on that piece of hope.

That You May Become Like Little Children...

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 NIV



Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 NIV

Happiness

During my first quarter of college (September 2006), I took an Intro to Psychology class. Although I found the subject terribly boring, I went to class every single day. One day, the professor came in and instead of turning on the computer for a power point presentation (like usual), she wrote on the board "When will you be happy?"

She turned to our class and asked for some answers. Students began to shout out answers like: "When I graduate college", "When I get married", "When I start my career", and "When I have my children." The list began to grow longer and longer until finally the professor turned to us and said, "Why the heck, aren't you happy now?"

I was quite stunned by her response, but she continued. "Why are you waiting to be happy? Don't wait until you get married or graduate. You have to find happiness and satisfaction in what you have at this present moment."

Wow, what an important life concept. Being satisfied with what you have in the present and not waiting to be happy.



I read a "coffee table" book from Hallmark recently called, Dance While You Can, and there is a passage from this book I'd like to share with you.

First, I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then, I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then, I was dying to marry and have children.
And then, I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could get back to my career.
And then, I was dying to retire.
And now, I am dying… and suddenly realize that I forgot to live.

-Author Unknown-

Peace-Out 2007

Wow, it's hard to believe another year has come and gone. I must say though, 2007 was definitely one of the toughest years of my life... so it's not hard to say goodbye to it :-) This was definitely a year of character building. As most of us know, that comes with a painful price. I wouldn't change anything about 2007 and I'm thankful for those hard times because in those times all I could do was cling to my Savior. He's done such a change inside of me, and for that, I am truly thankful.

I did have some good times though. Here are a few high-lights of 2007
1. My amazing nephew was born in April
2. I led my very first worship song in June
3. I started going to the Desert Rock college group in June and made some amazing friends
4. Learned how to snowboard
5. Learned a lot about myself and God (Yay for character building years lol)

Things I'm looking forward to in 2008 :-)
1. Turning 20 in February (wooo getting OLD)
2. Moving into our new house!!!
3. Graduating from CBC with my AA
4. Starting the Elementary Education program at WSU Tri-Cities
5. Quitting my job at the dentist office August 1st!!!! YESSS :-)

I also look forward to seeing what God does in my heart and life, the unexpected things. That's what makes life so exciting, it's so unpredictable. I hope each of you has a blessed new year!

I leave you with pictures from 2007:

Silent Night

Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, all is bright

This morning as I was drinking my coffee I decided to put on our Josh Groban Christmas album, and in an instant our downstairs was filled with the sounds of Silent Night. For the first time, I let the words of that song really sink in. As the song continued to play, I stared at our Nativity Scene and saw the Shepard's and Wise men bowing before Him. Then, the meaning of the song hit me.

A lot of people find this song ironic. They say "How could it have been a silent night? They were in a barn with a newborn baby. Of course it was loud." I, too, have had those same thoughts until today.

God showed me this song had little to do with the natural relm, but had everything to do with the spiritual relm. Jesus came to earth to save and redeem us. The night He was born signified hope. All was calm and bright because He was born and willing to take on our sins. I have this feeling that at the moment of His birth, all of heaven was quiet; standing in awe and reverence of baby Jesus. Which makes that night one silent and holy night :-)

So next time you sing or hear this song, think of the spiritual relm. You will never view this song as ironic again, I garantee it.

May God bless each and every one of you this Christmas Season. May the hope that He brought that night fill your homes and hearts!